Angel Has Fallen

This review may contain spoilers!

Olympus Has Fallen was a great film but none of these sequels have justified being made. I would give Angel Has Fallen a 3.5/10.

Angel Has Fallen is the third film in the series and follows Mike Banning, a Secret Services agent who is framed for an attempted assassination attempt on the President of the United States. The entire feature revolves around his desperate mission to clear his name before the true terrorists catch up both him and the President. While I have little to say on the plot itself the film does manage to execute some sharp moments, such as the initial execution of the antagonists' plan or the intensity from Banning as he attempts to stay one step ahead of the FBI and terrorist element.

Gerard Butler, who played Mike Banning, has done good work as this protagonist for a while now and continues to keep the role consistent; Butler really embodies the unswerving loyalty and dedication that is at the heart of this role. Jada Pinkett Smith, who played Agent Thompson, was such a cool new character that could really have escalated the action somewhat; Smith had such a tough, uncompromising presence that you felt she was a force to be reckoned with in any scene she was in. Tim Blake Nelson, who played Vice President Kirby, was not the antagonist I expected to really like but he certainly stood out to me in this film; Nelson took his career politician and made a seriously duplicitous snake out of him.

However, the best performance came from Nick Nolte, who played Clay Banning. This film really suffered from such a dry story that didn't even seem particularly interested in what it was saying. Then Nolte hit the screen and I was surprised at just how things started to liven up. As a character Clay Banning is really a bit manic, he has a deep running sense of paranoia and spouts a number of conspiracy theories throughout the feature. I really enjoyed how much fun Nolte had with this, getting worked up and taking out scores of mercenaries in a manner you don't really expect. More than that watching the dynamic as he tries to move away from reluctant father to a present one, becoming an actual member of the Banning family is pretty heartwarming to watch.

This film just does not care about its own story and it showed from start to finish. There's a lot here to unpack so I'll just do my best to break down the significant elements at play. The entire film revolves around a concept that is hard to swallow after the last two films, depicting Banning as a 'traitor' is a hard sell at best and the plot is constantly inventing reasons for him to remain a fugitive that don't always work well. Another element of this film is that Banning's health has deteriorated since the second film and he's not telling anyone. Now this is a big point of issue for a lot of reasons but my big one is this; I think storylines that hinge on a character not communicating with other characters as a matter of pride or because it's convenient for others not to know is a lazy story, always has been and always will be. To make matters worse Banning's health is depicted as really bad in the first act of the film so that we really understand it, but after that they only show it when it's convenient in the second act and it's not really discussed much at all in the third. The entire political landscape that leads to the antagonist, the vice president, taking over and attempting to change policy in an extreme way is quite over the top; and worse even when the plan has been exposed by the FBI the antagonists decide they're still going through with the plan because 'they got a job to finish'. From start to finish this film is tying itself in knots trying to make something stick and make sense, all the while you can't help feeling bored by the generic action plot emerging that bears little resemblance to the excellence that was Olympus Has Fallen. The cinematography in this film was shocking to say the least, there were a number of close ups used in scenes that didn't really demand them that were framed really uncomfortably. The special effects for the film looked like something a direct to DVD film could muster, with a major building collapse looking like as much work was done as the budget could allow and a rooftop fight scene at the end that had some of the worst green screen backing I've seen in a while. The score for the film is a grim droning that is meant to make us feel the ever present danger but for me just became trifling back ground noise that had very little work put into it.

Piper Perabo, who played Leah Banning, is one of the most forgettable roles in the film; Perabo just has little chemistry with Butler and she only really fills the role of damsel in distress which became boring quickly. Morgan Freeman, who played Allan Trumbull, just didn't have the same interesting dynamic as Eckhart did with the President role; Freeman is constantly giving little speeches that feel very empty and meaningless and don't serve as moments of inspiration or guidance as they should. Danny Huston, who played Wade Jennings, seems pretty tired of playing the same boring military man antagonist as I am of watching it; Huston gives such a confused performance in this film playing more to his role's obsession/friendship with Banning than any other aspect of his role which really just doesn't play out well. Lance Reddick, who played Secret Services Director David Gentry, gives a pretty listless performance of a generic security agent; Reddick's role just feels like a role written to be a shallow clone of Banning and you never really feel like Reddick makes the role his own.

Once Upon A Time In Hollywood

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This is a step back in the right direction for Tarantino but certainly not one of the instant classics he used to craft. I would give Once Upon A Time In Hollywood a 7/10.

Once Upon A Time In Hollywood follows Rick Dalton, an actor who fears his career is waning and his stuntman, Cliff Booth, as they navigate Hollywood life throughout the 50s and 60s. I think the truly clever qualities of this film emerged in Rick Dalton's storyline; his intense self-doubt and constant introspection made him a struggling actor who was genuinely interesting to watch. It was quite fascinating to see him transition from being right on the brink to standing out impressively in Lancer and making something of himself in Italian Westerns.This film ultimately comes to life when it works to make the audience experience the period of time that they are watching; to really immerse you in the experience. Tarantino transports you to a time in Hollywood that feels divided at a number of times yet revels in the promis and splendour of the film industry. The cinematography used throughout is a testament to the seasoned director, there's never a moment where you feel precise thought has been skimped on for how a given scene should look. The editing for this film is also incredibly smooth despite the slower pace of the narrative, transitions move with deliberate intent and the visual side of storytelling is nothing if not satisfying. The score for the film is a very fun blend between some of the projects and references scattered throughout the film and a more deliberate haunting style for the scenes that require a build in tension.

Brad Pitt, who played Cliff Booth, is one of the most loyal and moral characters of this film; Pitt moves through this feature with a stoic, good-natured energy but you know he can turn into an action powerhouse at a moments notice. Timothy Olyphant, who played James Stacy, is quite fun as the young up and coming actor to counterbalance DiCaprio's Dalton; Olyphant has a very gracious way of presenting an optimistic and likeable protagonist. Julia Butters, who played Trudi, is an absolutely hilarious goldmine of a character; Butters straight to the point role has an encyclopaedic knowledge about the acting profession and it leads to some brilliant scenes. Al Pacino, who played Marvin Schwarz, is such a thrill to watch as an onscreen producer and active cinephile; Pacino is a gateway to the joy of watching and experiencing film in this feature. Damon Herriman, who played Charles Manson, is eerily good as the famed cult leader; Herriman manages to make you feel immediately charmed by his character while at the same time leaving you feeling uneasy.

However, the best performance came from Leonardo DiCaprio, who played Rick Dalton. There is little surprise in watching a DiCaprio film and being completely won over by his ability to perform and display an extraordinary range of emotion. As Rick you get a more comedic portrayal in some respects; watching DiCaprio portray a man struggling within his own career and currently peaking by playing the antagonist in TV shows is a fun juxtaposition in and of itself. The qualities DiCaprio gave this character like his nervous, stammering tone or intense self-doubt are elements of the role that really worked and defined him when he wasn't playing to a character. Some of the best scenes of the film comprise of watching DiCaprio ooze menace as this murderous, backstabbing Western villain and then drop the facade to reveal this reedy, insecure performer who doubts himself at every turn. This one was a little more unconventional for DiCaprio but it worked a treat and had me highly amused.

This film is not going to be what a lot of people were expecting it to be, it's certainly a satisfying piece of cinema but it never goes the full mile to pull out all the stops. Tarantino opts to make a slow paced film that runs close enough to three hours long for you to start getting a little impatient in that third act. My opinion of a run time is that you shouldn't ever really have to care about it as long as a film has earned the time it has played for; and this certainly didn't leave me convinced. The movie dragged it's legs in the first and second act, trying to impress you with the culture and setting but nver returning to the plot quickly enough. This movie is riddled with easter eggs, references or scenes that cut away to provide little anecdotal moments which really does nothing but clog up the film. Ultimately the film felt almost like a slice of life/period film that Tarantino was more experimenting with rose-coloured glasses, it was a nostalgic trip pleasantly presented but lacking the desired impact. The way the film ended felt like it was pulling it's punches a lot too, the whole home invasion confrontation almost felt as if it had been pulled from a completely different movie.

Margot Robbie, who played Sharon Tate, is beyond a shadow of a doubt better than what this film gave her; I think Robbie spoke just under twenty lines all up and had such a vacant empty role to work with. Emile Hirsch, who played Jay Sebring, was this wonderstruck fanboy at the end of the film which really didn't seem to go in hand with the character he was playing; Hirsch and Robbie had zero chemistry onscreen too which made their affair boring to watch. Margaret Qualley, who played Pussycat, gave a performance that went about as far over the top as it got in this film; Qualley seemed incapable of finding a manner in which to ground her role and so took her out beyond the realms of belief. Mike Moh, who played Bruce Lee, is one of the most controversial roles in this film and was not done well in my opinion; a very shallow representation of Lee and Moh was not the best pick to flesh him out. Damian Lewis and Rafal Zawierucha, who played Steve McQueen and Roman Polanski respectively, are essentially treated as background set pieces; Zawierucha's relationship with Robbie could at the very least have been given some more substance than it ever was. Kurt Russell and Zoe Bell, who played Randy and Janet respectively, give the most boring performances in what is already one of the weakest scenes of the film; Bell in particular is all over the place and the weakest link in this cast.

Late Night

This review may contain spoilers!
2019 has yet another fresh and original comedy that proudly stands apart. I would give Late Night a 7.5/10.

Late Night follows late night talk show host, Katherine Newbury, as she works desperately to keep her show after being told she will be replaced due to low ratings. Enter Molly Patel, a fresh new writer to the show who helps Katherine find the truth behind how she performs once again. I have nothing but admiration for just how many original, creative comedies have released this year, Late Night has already propelled itself right up my list of favourites due to delivering a plot unlike anything I've seen thus far. The focus on Katherine as a character provokes so many interesting and topical conversations about what comedy is and how we present it in 2019, you really feel like this is a narrative that has its finger on the pulse of the modern comedy industry. Late Night also uses its two main protagonists to have some really mature and insightful conversations around what feminism looks like in the entertainment industry and the impact the '#MeToo' movement has had. All of these significant plot lines are masterfully told and delivered through a witty and truly worthy script. The score for this film also hit all of those key emotional moments, setting the tone perfectly with each scene.

Mindy Kaling, who played Molly Patel, is a really vibrant protagonist who is easy to connect with; Kaling has a way of presenting fresh characters with a nice sense of optimism that I really enjoy. John Lithgow, who played Walter Lovell, does a really subtle yet strong performance in this film; Lithgow presents a very sweet husband whose response to his wife's affair makes for a moving scene. Reid Scott, who played Tom Campbell, has a very boastful and arrogant air about him at first that is entertaining of itself; I think it was nice how Scott approached his more humble way of comforting and supporting Kaling's character. Denis O'Hare, who played Brad, has a very wry wit that shows itself well; I think this role was interesting cause he played things by the book a lot which never made him the antagonist yet presented some interesting conflict. Max Casella, who played Burditt, is a very gruff and blunt character; I really enjoyed his begrudging friendship with Kaling and how that evolved. Ike Barinholtz, who played Daniel Tennant, was perfect for this smug, idiotic comedian; Barinholtz played strongly to the character's ego and lack of tact which lead to some brilliant scenes. Amy Ryan, who played Caroline Morton, was a tough, take no prisoners role; Ryan was a strong uncompromising force to Thompson which lead to some nice rivalry.

However, the best performance came from Emma Thompson, who played Katherine Newbury. As a lot of people may know I haven't always risen to some of Thompson's roles in the past few years, her last truly impressive character was in Saving Mr Banks I feel. Yet this performance was unlike anything I had ever seen, it felt genuine and honest. My impression was that Thompson had read something in this role that rung true or connected with and really ran with it. Katherine Newbury is a bossy, often frustrating character who can't always see past her own judgement; yet her ability as an entertainer and a well-meaning human being is never in question. Throughout this film you see a woman who is so resistant to change turn into a truly stubborn fighter, she has to let herself be pushed and take some risks but it is character growth that is beautifully written. The moment in which her affair is revealed is a tough moment to watch; Katherine really crashes hard and her reconciliation with her husband is really moving. If anything the best scene of the film is when Thompson delivers the opening monologue of her show and addresses her infidelity in a way that is so impactful it will leave you thinking about that moment long after you've left he theatre.

I thought this was a near flawless script for a comedy but it did have a few moments that could have been fine-tuned. In particular, I felt there were a lot of moments in which Molly or Katherine's respective storylines took a lot of time away from the other; the pacing here really needed to be tempered a little better especially in regards to Molly and her story. The cinematography for the film was also rather tame, I never felt like a distinctive visual style was being tried for and a number of dialogue sequences just came across as bland. The editing for the feature also set a slow pace which wasn't great, this movie needed to take time to discuss all it had but there were a number of instances where the editing could have helped move things in a more presentable way.

Hugh Dancy, who played Charlie Fain, had a lot of potential that steadily dropped away as the film rolled on; Dancy's approach to his sleazy character became quite repetitive and he didn't try to provoke much range as the film wore on. Paul Walter Hauser and John Early, who played Mancuso and Reynolds respectively, were members of the writing team that never stuck out as strong characters; Hauser played it too quiet and was satisfied with the background while Early was way too over the top. Marc Kudisch, who played Billy Kastner, was a stoic executive role that never had a lot to express; Kudisch never did a lot with this role and he felt like a fairly flavourless antagonist. Seth Meyers, who played himself, was quite a mild cameo to be perfectly honest; it was a nice touch but it didn't make for a memorable scene.

Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw

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Despite some impressive production elements this is ultimately a film with a weak script that too many people messed with, and the result speak for itself. I would give Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw a 6/10.

Hobbs and Shaw focuses on, well, Hobbs and Shaw from the Fast and Furious franchise. The chemistry between these two in Fast 8 was incredible and everyone was hankering for more so it's no surprise that we have a spinoff in which Agent Hobbs and crook with a heart of gold, Shaw, have to work together. In this film the pair race to save Shaw's sister from an bio-terrorist faction and extract the airborne toxin currently racing through her bloodstream. The film never commits itself strongly to the overarcing storyline but there are a number of scenes that show a lot of heart. I thought Shaw losing his temper and having a breakdown over his sister wanting to sacrifice herself rather than risk the virus getting airborne was great, also having Hobbs talk about why he left Samoa and what he did to his father was a powerful scene. The special effects used throughout this film are masterfully done, this franchise has been pulling off better and better looking visuals for years now so this is no surprise. The score for the film is adrenaline pumping and fast moving, while the soundtrack has a lot of fresh, cool moments of music that only serve to heighten the intensity of the feature.

Dwayne Johnson, who played Hobbs, is quite a powerful and intimidating presence throughout; Johnson has a natural charisma that bleeds through into his characters and makes them extremely entertaining to watch. Idris Elba, who played Brixton, does a lot of leg work to make his antagonist radiate power; to be very clear this character is one of the most poorly written I've seen this year and Elba turns him into incredible viewing. Vanessa Kirby, who played Hattie, really has one of the most consistent and well-delivered performances of the film; Kirby plays a very moral protagonist who has to sink to some dirtier tricks now that she's experiencing life on the run. Eliana Sua, who played Sam, is such a bright and funny performer amongst this cast; Sua and Johnson have a charming relationship that makes for a good onscreen father/daughter dynamic.

However, the best performance came from Jason Statham, who played Shaw. Both of the leads in this film are action/blockbuster legends but Statham has the experience and range that really sets him apart. I think the driving force behind why Shaw's character works so well in this film is that he has the most on the line, his sister's life literally hangs in the balance. Throughout the feature Statham deals his famous cocky dialogue and smooth lean into tough guy action. But what works in his favour is that you can see how worried he increasingly gets about his family, you get to see the fear he is holding throughout and when he unleashes that it makes for the best scene of the film.

Fast and the Furious as a franchise has been going more and more bonkers for years now and in a lot of ways that has worked out for them. This is where the easy ride stops I feel. Bringing in the guy who directed Deadpool 2 in to direct this paints a picture of what to expect, this is a Fast and Furious spinoff that is going to embrace the silliness and use a little of that fourth wall breaking humour to really make it work. But work it does not. The entire film feels like it has had too many voices involved in it creatively and so you wind up with a main story that is already overcharged with an action plot that is paper-thin at best but most of the time the tone is interrupted by this drive to become comedic. The whole film doesn't work as a comedy because the cast isn't strongly suited to it, so there are a number of scenes with empty jokes that fall flat over and over again. Placing in gratuitous cameos, easter eggs to old films the two leads have done and wrangling in Samoa as a setting all feel like choices made adjacent to the plot rather than for the plot, which is something you really feel as an audience member. If the entire film can't stand on it's own plot but rather needs Ryan Reynolds to pop into three scenes and wink at the camera then the movie is already a lost cause. As it stands the plot around a bio-terrorist group who want a virus so they can 'kill the weak' and give the planet to 'the strong' is a tale as old as time and very lazily delivered. The cinematography generally looks alright in the action sequences, though less so in the final act, but overall I was disappointed with how this was filmed. You go from scenes with quite a mild number of shots and angles taken to a scene where every possible way it can be filmed has been shoved into the scene; it gives the impression that this film is messy, unpolished and lacked clear vision.

Helen Mirren, who played Queenie, isn't used in the same effective way as she was in Fast 8; here Mirren is pushed into the background and presented more as a worried mother than a quick-witted criminal. Eiza Gonzalez, who played Madame M, isn't really all that much of a character; Gonzalez is only really here to be a minor love interest for Statham and has no real impact on the story. Eddie Marsan, who played Professor Andreiko, has had some real stinker roles of late; Marsan's meek scientist is a completely generic, uninteresting role who serves more use as a plot device than anything else. Cliff Curtis, who played Jonah, really shouldn't have tried to do more of an Islander accent when he is New Zealand one was bleeding through like that; Curtis as Johnson's brother was already a hard sell without him self-sabotaging himself like that. Lori Pelenise Tuisano, who played Sefina, just delivered some of the most awkward cringeworthy dialogue of the film; the blind optimism and empty thematic messages of this onscreen mother really drove up how cheesy this film became. Rob Delaney and Ryan Reynolds, who played Agent Loeb and Locke respectively, gave polar performances that equally served the film in no good way; Delaney's mild mannered delivery shunted him right into the background while Reynolds' oddball Deadpool-like humour makes him look like a one trick pony at present. Kevin Hart, who played Air Marshall Dinkley, is a cameo that does no wonders for this film with a performer who clearly doesn't care what he's doing; Hart has no interest in presenting a character and flubs some easy comedy that interrupts the flow of the film.

Booksmart

This review may contain spoilers!

This has had a lot of comparisons to Superbad, but Booksmart is honestly in a league of its own and shines as one of the best comedies of the year. I would give Booksmart an 8.5/10.

Booksmart follows Amy and Molly, two straight A students who have locked down Ivy League schools. Things all go off the rails when they discover that a lot of the 'party students' in their year have managed to do the same; now they're going to do whatever it takes to experience the type of party life they've been missing out on. When watching this film I was completely staggered by how original the sense of humour was. This wasn't a comedy feature that would crumble apart on toilet humour or cheap, degrading lines; rather the film was crammed with seriously funny dialogue and a cast of characters that was unlike anything I'd seen. The film never feels desperate to find jokes but rather invents new ways to top itself scene by scene; moments like getting a Lyft ride from their principal, the doll scene or crashing graduation had me in fits of laughter. This film really holds its strengths from its depiction of very realistic and grounded characters who are all experiencing moments and emotions that we can really empathise with as an audience. In particular, the two leads for this film are unlike anyone else, I was fascinated by them and their chemistry as best friends was excellent. The cinematography for the film is really unique, I like how creative the framing gets and the visual style for the film actually aids the comedy a lot. The soundtrack for this movie is one of the best I've heard alongside a film this year, it captures the youthful tone and has some great tracks that hilariously accompany some signature scenes.

Beanie Feldstein, who played Molly, is a comedy powerhouse who constantly steals scenes with her sharp delivery and ability to bring out the funniest potential in a scene; Feldstein is a role that presents herself as very self-assured but she has a lot of self-doubt that she bottles up and depicts minutely throughout the film. Jason Sudeikis, who played Principal Brown, is very funny as the exasperated faculty leader waiting desperately for the school year to be over; Sudeikis plays to the uncomfortable situation of his character doubling as a Lyft driver really well. Lisa Kudrow and Will Forte, who played Charmaine and Doug respectively, are really entertaining as Dever's onscreen parents; the moments in which Kudrow shows extreme joy at spotting an old toy or Forte's blubbery near-breakdown over his daughter graduating and going on an OE are some quietly entertaining moments. Mason Gooding, who played Nick, really plays up to the stereotype of the popular jock who isn't too bright but as the film goes along Gooding shows a lot more about his role that you wouldn't expect; his scenes at the party with Feldstein are actually quite touching and the pair share some great chemistry in this moment that surprises you as a viewer. Skyler Gisondo, who played Jared, is a very awkward character who really seems in need of some friends and attention at first; Gisondo shows a character who is extremely likeable, perhaps an oddball but really just someone who feels like he's on the outside looking in. Diana Silvers, who played Hope, is a character with a tough shell and a mean streak to go with it; I was impressed with how the relationship between Silvers and Devers developed and evolved onscreen. Molly Gordon, who played Triple A, is a character who seems jaded and a rival to Feldstein's character initially; but Gordon really shifts audience perspective on this when you find out how her character got her nickname and how she actually feels about it in what was one of the more powerful scenes of the film. Austin Crute and Noah Galvin, who played Alan and George respectively, are some of the funniest characters in the film; Crute plays up to big dramatic moments while Galvin just has some of the best dialogue that will have you in stitches.

However, the best performance came from Kaitlyn Dever, who played Amy.This character, like many in this film, becomes so easy to relate to out of a very grounded performance and a clever sense of comedy. Dever really handles the more awkward side to this role well, she shows Amy to be someone not always wholly confident in the situations they are finding themselves in. Even when it comes to Amy's crush on Ryan you can see that self-doubt and uncertainty as to approaching her feelings. Feldstein and Dever have insane levels of chemistry together and they play off one another extremely well; yet I really enjoy how they both get to play strongly to different degrees of humour. Dever has a very straight and to the point way of bringing comedy to the scene which leads to some really abrupt and unexpected moments that are side-splittingly funny. There is a lot to say about bringing an already out lesbian character to screen and showing her navigating her romantic feelings in high school, it's a story not often told and it is presented and portrayed extremely well here.

This film is constantly taking risks and doing things that most comedies wouldn't even attempt or try to do which is why it's so successful; however, as with any project that takes risks some of those moments just don't land and there are instances when scenes based around a joke just don't work. Ultimately the risks are worth it but there are instances where the film flounders because all of a sudden the high school teacher is hooking up at a student party. The editing for the film also feels strongly off at times, there are cuts where it feels like whole scenes or sequences have been taken out. This really interrupts the flow of the feature at times, most notably in the final act.

Jessica Williams, who played Miss Fine, is a role that has some potential at first but it goes out the window the longer she's in the film; Williams doesn't look as sold on her character romancing a student and everything about that subplot just feels off. Victoria Ruesga, who played Ryan, has a very awkward way of approaching line delivery that doesn't fit with how her character is presented; Ruesga and Dever don't have a lot of chemistry which is what lets down the crush subplot somewhat. Billie Lourd, who played Gigi, is the character you find in comedy films who is crazy and can do anything for the sake of the joke; Lourd gets very over the top and wild in this film and it's hard to enjoy it alongside some of the more grounded characters and plot. Eduardo Franco, who played Theo, is a role with not a lot to him until the subplot he shares with Williams' role; as I've stated previously the romance between these two is just strange and a lot of that comes from Franco's side of things. Nico Hiraga, who played Tanner, is just here to play a generic party character and not do much else; Hiraga is the source of tomfoolery and physical humour but that falls into the background in a film like this. Michael Patrick O'Brien, who played Pat the Pizza Guy, is an odd character who feels a little at odds with the comedic tone of the film; O'Brien's creepy role hits the mark a little too well sometimes and his scene gets most of it's strength from the other performers in it.